FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 19, 2020

Statement from Rockland County Executive Ed Day

By including the elimination of West of Hudson rail service in their Budget Proposal released yesterday, MTA has made it clear they have zero regard for Rockland County's status as the most underserved member of the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District. Further, the MTA’s decision to not mention the proposed elimination of service in either their presentation to the Board or their press release is yet another example of how little they care for West of Hudson commuters.

Every value gap analysis performed over the past 30 years - even MTA's own analyses - has shown that Rockland County is consistently shortchanged by MTA. MTA already owes us $40 million per year and has for decades. If they eliminate the only rail service available from Rockland County, there would be no reason for Rockland County to continue paying anything to the MTA.

Metro-North allowed NJT to eliminate two of our four express trains on the Pascack Valley line in 2018, which are still not restored more than two and a half years later.  Metro-North already eliminated the Haverstraw-Ossining ferry service with the pandemic, then eliminated the substitute bus service put in its place. We are told there is no intention to restore the ferry service. Eliminating West of Hudson rail service would leave Rockland County with no MTA service whatsoever. That said, we are already working with our State elected officials on legislation to leave the MTA and no longer subsidize services we do not receive.

Stimulus funding from the Federal government is vital - but even with potential funding on its way, we realize that MTA service cuts may still be necessary.  Let me make it abundantly clear that cutting any service from Rockland County would be devastating and is simply be unacceptable.

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